It has been a sad morning. I just found out that a friend from the Marfan's forum on Facebook died; probably from an aortic dissection or rupture.  I think she was from Virginia; I never interacted directly with her but her death has hit the online marfan community pretty hard.  She is the embodiment of all of our worst fears.

Today is also the anniversary of the accident which led to the death of  Professor Adolf Hansen's daughter Bonnie.  He was a professor of mine at seminary who taught classes on ministry to the sick and on Death and Dying.. His faith in the face of an unimaginably horrible event was powerful then and has become more meaningful over the years.  Professor Hansen helped us to understand that when we experience tragedy, God understands! After all, God in Christ was crucified! God experienced loss.  Yet, and most importantly, God turned the ultimate tragedy into the ultimate good. Christ was resurrected!

Adolf told us what helped him cope with Bonnie's death. (One never "get's over" a death; and really, would you want to? )  He told us that while God understands and shares our pain, "God works for good in everything."

So, to Shanon and Bonnie: May you rest in peace and dwell forever with The Lord.

As for those of us left to mourn their passing, we pray The Lord will deal graciously with us and help us to see Hope despite our grief.

Amen.

Longing to Write.

I have always wanted to be a writer. I envy you that you are.  I have been told since College that "Writer's write."  I guess I gave up long ago. Most people who know me know me well enough to know that I can be very stubborn when I want to be. Combine stubbornness and perfectionism and you have the perfect excuse to not write. and so I don't.  I would like to write. I've had people ask me to write more. But I can't seem to do it.

I was watching the Bush Library opening yesterday and I was struck by the fact that President Bush paints for three hours every day! Thinking back on his administration I am struck by the fact that he and I share stubbornness  He has the advantage of having discipline.  I have none. Never have.  So, how do I become a writer?  I've been told countless times to be disciplined about it. Write for an hour every day without censorship. But I fail. I make lots of pretty noises and set up blogs or post things to FB... I think the longest I've gone has been a couple of weeks.

I certainly have enough material.
Several near death experiences
a chronic debilitating medical condition
chronic pain
experience as a chaplain on a Hospice floor
Seminary
My fight with Depression
My mother's Alzheimer's
Being a stay at home Dad and being part of a very strange sort of almost reverse discrimination.

Another part of my problem is that I really love to read. I would much prefer to read than write. But, let's be honest. I also love watching television!  I really don't understand how folks like Gigi and Adrienne or any of my other blogger friends do it. They all have houses to keep clean, books to read, Doctor's appointments, kids to pick up.  How do they do it?  I would love to know.  I have 2 distinct audiences waiting. I've been asked to be a guest blogger. I know there really is no secret to doing it other than simply doing it.  Here's hoping I can continue with it...